Neda Daneshzadeh: Backing Brands With Lasting Influence
Prelude Growth Partners, the growth equity firm Neda Daneshzadah co-founded, is sitting pretty in the consumer space. Long positioned at the intersection of food and beverage, beauty, and body care, Prelude is increasingly getting recognition for its discerning choices in the food space. The company raised $600 million for its third fund last August; since then it’s had fabulous exits for Bachan’s and So Good So You, while continuing to hold stakes in Banza, Fly By Jing, and MadeGood, all companies that take rising trends and put an easy-to-understand face on them. Its latest investment is in chicken sausage maker Amylu Foods — something that’s looking increasingly smart given rising beef prices and the country’s passion for protein. Daneshazadeh worked at L Catterton for a dozen years before starting Prelude alongside Alicia Sontag — as the two continue to overcome long-entrenched challenges to women in private equity, it’s clear this might be the prelude to an enduring composition.